Yao Chen

"I heard that the Miter Auction House has a thousand-year-old Ice Crystal Three Souls Grass. Would you be willing to sell it to me?"

Ya Fei pursed her crimson lips and chuckled softly. "You must be joking, sir. The treasures in the auction house are never sold directly. I have no way to sell it to you."

"I am willing to exchange a Fourth-grade Pill for it. What do you think, Miss Ya Fei?"

At those words, the subordinates who were still cleaning all stopped what they were doing, their gazes fixed on Lin Che.

A Fourth-grade Pill...

Could this guy be some young master from a great clan? To actually use a Fourth-grade Pill like this—it was truly a waste of a priceless treasure.

Ya Fei's delicate brows rose as she sized up the young man before her.

As a member of the Mite'er Family, Ya Fei was not only beautiful but also sharp-eyed. She could easily see through others' disguises and notice details that ordinary people overlooked.

Quick-witted and shrewd, she understood the ways of the world well. Yet limited by her age, Ya Fei was still not as composed as her colleagues.

Ya Fei extended her jade-like hand in invitation. "Since Your Excellency is so sincere, please come with me."

The value of a Fourth-grade Pill went without saying. No matter how precious a thousand-year-old Ice Crystal Three Souls Grass was, it could not compare to a Fourth-grade Pill.

Led by Ya Fei, Lin Che arrived at a relatively quiet room. All kinds of treasures were displayed inside, along with countless herbs. However, they were all low-grade herbs; using them to steep wine would ruin its flavor.

Ya Fei sat seductively in her chair and asked softly, "May I know your name, sir?"

"Lin Shanshui Che Qing. I am Lin Che."

"So it is Senior Lin Che. Then let us get to the point. Do you have that Fourth-grade Pill with you?"

Without hesitation, Lin Che took out the pill bottle containing the Fourth-grade Pill and pushed it before Ya Fei.

Ya Fei removed the stopper, and a rich medicinal fragrance rushed toward her. The surging aura made her greedily take several more breaths. Its refreshing scent was utterly intoxicating.

"It really is a Fourth-grade Pill." Ya Fei lightly bit her lip, surprise flickering in her eyes. Then she asked, "Mister Lin Che, you should know how important a Fourth-grade Pill is. Do you truly intend to exchange it for this Ice Crystal Three Souls Grass?"

"Of course. I have spent my life searching for Wine Catalysts. How could I give up something I desire?"

Seeing how decisive he was, Ya Fei took a special box from her Storage Ring. As it opened, icy-blue vapor drifted from the herb within.

A three-leaved herb lay quietly in the box. Each leaf was icy blue, and the veins upon them wriggled ceaselessly like flowing blood vessels.

Lin Che nodded in satisfaction and stored it in his Storage Ring. This was one of the Wine Catalysts he had been seeking. Before long, he believed he would be able to brew the finest wine under heaven.

Poetry paired with wine, dancing with a sword in hand—truly the life of an immortal.

At the thought, Lin Che smiled.

Ya Fei asked, "Mister Lin Che, where are you from? Are you also an expert of the Jia Ma Empire?"

As a member of the Mite'er Family, Ya Fei had seen far too many experts. Yet this was the first time she had encountered someone so free-spirited.

"I am merely a traveler wandering the world, not worth mentioning. I call myself the Drunken Sword Immortal."

Lin Che rose to his feet, flashed Ya Fei a brilliant smile, and turned to leave. He had obtained what he wanted, so there was no meaning in staying any longer.

Besides, Xiao Yan still needed three more days, and Lin Che had to deal with Yao Chen inside the ring.

Ya Fei watched Lin Che's departing figure, then said, "Look into who this Drunken Sword Immortal... Lin Che is. If we can recruit him into the Mite'er Family, our family's status will rise considerably."

"Yes."

Huai River Bamboo Pavilion, the seventh day of the seventh month.

By the time he returned to the Bamboo Forest, the night was already deep and still.

Ripples shimmered across the lake, reflecting the stars and moon above like a brilliant galaxy, specks of starlight scattered everywhere in breathtaking beauty.

With one hand behind his back, Lin Che took out the Storage Ring he had obtained from Xiao Yan. He then poured his Dou Qi into it, allowing Yao Chen to awaken sooner.

As light and shadow suddenly appeared, a stream of silvery-white vapor poured out of the Storage Ring. Soon, an elderly man dressed in a white robe appeared.

The old man's wide sleeves fluttered gently. His face was aged, yet exceptionally kind. His deep eyes carried a wisdom that even the air of age could not conceal, as though he had weathered countless trials.

This man was Old Yao.

Old Yao stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze shifting. "Little fellow, was it you who awakened me?"

According to the original plot, Old Yao had remained asleep and would not awaken until three days later. Thus, he had no idea why the Storage Ring was in this person's hands.

Lin Che sat in a chair and asked softly, "Now that you have awakened, what are your plans?"

Because Yao Chen had only just awakened, his current strength was not great. Moreover, if he wished to wield his power, he had to rely on someone else's body.

So if Lin Che wanted to destroy Yao Chen now, it would take no more than the lift of a finger.

"My name is Old Yao, an alchemist revered by the world." Yao Chen stroked his small beard and examined Lin Che from head to toe. "An eighteen-year-old Dou Huang expert... tsk, tsk, tsk. What heaven-gifted talent. I have traveled the Dou Qi Continent for so many years, yet this is the first time I have seen such a thing."

"How about you take me as your master? I can teach you cultivation."

Lin Che laughed. If it had been Xiao Yan, he might truly have been talked into performing the ceremony of apprenticeship. But with the system's help, Lin Che only needed to drink wine and dance with his sword every day to improve his cultivation.

Thus, rather than fighting and killing, he preferred a life of freedom and ease.

Lin Che shook his head and politely declined. "Better not. I am merely a sword cultivator and have no interest in becoming an alchemist."

Yao Chen's brows twitched. This was the first time he had heard someone refuse to become his disciple.

Back then, a single word from him could shake the entire Dou Qi Continent. Those wishing to learn under him had lined up from the Jia Ma Empire all the way to Starfall Pavilion. Yet this little fellow had actually rejected the chance to become an alchemist.

It was truly incomprehensible.

"You may stay here and restore your soul. The Dou Qi here is abundant, and the scenery is beautiful. It is a fine place for cultivation. Once your soul power has mostly recovered, you may leave and seek your own opportunities."

"Hehehe, I never expected a little fellow like you to enjoy tranquility so much. If it were anyone else, they would be desperate to go out and train in order to improve their cultivation." The old man's wrinkled face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

"Everyone has their own aspirations. Why fear what others say?"

Lin Che replied without the slightest courtesy.